Serious Fraud Solicitors Manchester: SFO Investigation Lawyers
At Draycott Browne, our Serious Fraud Solicitors provide expert legal defence for individuals and businesses who are facing scrutiny as part of ongoing SFO Investigations.
Allegations of Serious High Value Fraud can be some of the most high stakes financial offences under UK law. These cases often involve multiple agencies, cross border transactions and large volumes of financial evidence. That's why it’s vital to have the right legal representation from the outset. A solicitor who understands how the SFO builds and presents its case can provide a crucial advantage.
Our SFO Investigation Solicitors offer immediate, practical support from the moment you become aware of an investigation. We take swift action to manage communications with the SFO, prepare you for interviews, and begin building a robust defence tailored to the allegations you are facing.
With over 25 years of experience in defending serious fraud allegations, Draycott Browne is recognised as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence firms. We have represented clients in some of the most high-profile SFO investigations in recent years, and we understand the tactics used by prosecuting agencies and how best to counter them.
Our department is led by Rob Mann, Director and Head of Fraud, whose reputation for handling High Value Fraud cases and complex financial investigations makes him one of the most sought-after Serious Fraud Defence Lawyers in this field. His expertise ensures every case is approached with strategic focus, discretion and attention to detail.
If you are the subject of an SFO Investigation or have reason to believe one may be imminent, contact our Serious Fraud Solicitors today by phone for urgent, confidential legal advice.
What Should I Do If I’m Under an SFO Investigation?
If you have been contacted by the Serious Fraud Office and received a notice under the Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 or suspect an investigation is underway, the most important step you can take is to seek legal advice immediately.
These investigations are rarely launched without extensive preparation. By the time you are made aware, the SFO will already have gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses and possibly secured warrants to access your home or business premises. How you respond at this stage will be critical to protecting your future.
With the right legal support, you can begin to regain control of the situation and put a strategy in place from the very beginning. Our Serious Fraud Solicitors can:
- Advise you clearly on your rights and obligations under SFO powers
- Manage all communication and correspondence with investigators
- Represent you during interviews under caution to ensure fair treatment
- Review the nature and scope of the investigation and assess potential risks
- Prepare an immediate defence strategy and protect against self-incrimination
- Challenge restraint orders, search warrants and asset freezing measures
- Take steps to minimise reputational and professional damage
We act with urgency and discretion, providing clear guidance at every stage. If you are under investigation, contact our SFO Investigation Solicitors today for immediate legal support. Early action is often the key to achieving the best possible outcome.
Dedicated expertise for defending all types of fraud offences.
Our Specialist serious high value Fraud offence Team
What is Serious High Value Fraud?
Fraud is the act of deception for financial or personal gain. For high value cases, that personal gain must represent a substantial amount. This type of criminal offence is typically at the expense of another individual, business or organisation. Crimes considered Serious High Value Fraud include the following:
Engaging in bribery and corruption involves any action with the intention of influencing the behaviour of another party or gaining an unfair advantage through illegal or unlawful means. This can manifest in various forms, such as offering bribes, extorting money, or engaging in fraudulent activities. Such behaviour not only undermines trust and fairness but can also have serious legal and ethical implications.
Corporate fraud refers to illegal activities committed by a corporation or business entity with the intention of deliberately misrepresenting the company’s financial position or activities. Examples of corporate fraud include tax fraud, asset stripping and fraudulent trading. It can also include the corporation’s failure to prevent the facilitation of overseas tax evasion, where the company may be involved in actions that aid or abet individuals or entities in evading taxes overseas. These activities can have serious legal and financial implications for the corporation and its stakeholders.
Investment fraud involves deceiving investors in order to persuade them to part with their money or savings. This fraudulent activity can take various forms such as pyramid schemes, boiler room operations, advance fee payments and other deceptive tactics. These fraudulent schemes often rely on false or misleading information to lure investors into making financial commitments and then exploit their trust for illicit gains. Investment fraud can have severe financial consequences for victims and is a serious concern within the financial industry.
Mortgage fraud occurs when individuals or entities deceive or misrepresent information during the mortgage lending process to obtain a loan or influence the terms of a loan. This can involve various parties such as borrowers, mortgage brokers, appraisers and lenders. This can include providing false income information, inflating property appraisals and misrepresenting occupancy status. Mortgage fraud not only harms lenders and investors but also affects the stability of the housing market. It can result in financial losses, legal repercussions and damage to the overall integrity of the lending industry.
Money laundering is a process used by criminal organisations to conceal the illicit origins of their funds and make them appear as if they come from a legitimate source. It involves a series of transactions with the aim of disguising the illegal proceeds to avoid detection by law enforcement and regulatory authorities. By successfully laundering money, criminal organisations are able to integrate their illicit gains into the legitimate economy, making it challenging for authorities to uncover and disrupt their illegal operations.
High value fraud is committed though one of three deception methods:
- Providing false information
- A failure to disclose information
- An abuse of power
Convictions for these crimes carry long custodial sentences and may also lead to a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). This is done to recover the cash and assets gained through the criminal activity in question.
High value fraud cases are often high profile due to both the seriousness of the crime and the amount of money involved in the case. Our Serious Fraud Solicitors have first-hand experience of dealing with high-profile cases of public interest and will work tirelessly and discreetly to protect your rights during this time.
If you are facing allegations of fraud, contact our fraud investigations solicitors now for expert legal advice tailored to your personal circumstances.
The Importance of Self Reporting in Serious Fraud Investigations
When wrongdoings are discovered within a business, the decision may be taken to self-report the violations of the law to the authorities. There are several reasons to be some including avoiding prosecution, receiving more lenient treatment and for reputational reasons.
The advent of deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) in the UK may have led to a change in the way companies deal with criminal investigations, as corporations can avoid a conviction by cooperating fully.
Although by no means limited to this area, self-reporting is most commonly associated with offences under the Bribery Act 2010.
The act of self-reporting may be taken into consideration when the SFO determines whether or not to prosecute. However, they must be satisfied that the report is a genuine attempt by the corporate management team to address the issue when the offence is brought to their attention.
This includes the remedial actions taken and compensation for victims.
Self-reporting is a decision that should be taken extremely seriously and with the advice of an experienced fraud investigation lawyer.
Case Study
Liverpool's Longest Fraud Trial
26 October 2018
In the longest fraud trial Liverpool's Crown Court has seen, Rob Mann of Draycott Browne conducted the successful representation of former Conservative councillor David Richard Barton. A not guilty verdict was returned after 137 days of trial allowing David to finally put his life back on track.
Specialist Serious Fraud Offence Lawyers
- 24/7 Availability
- Proven Success in High Profile Cases
- Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation
Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Serious Fraud Defence Solicitors today.
How can our Serious Fraud Solicitors help?
Specialist knowledge and expertise in serious high value fraud is essential when seeking someone to act on your behalf in these cases. Our Serious Fraud Solicitors can guarantee you have a highly skilled and experienced team who will liaise with the SFO and the authorities on your behalf. We have 20 years experience of dealing with key enforcement agencies such as:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
- The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
We will also deal with any complexities, robustly challenging any evidence made against you. We have a formidable reputation right across the industry for defending cases of serious high value fraud. Our fraud solicitors defend clients with tenacity and attention to detail, which helps us provide you with the best and most effective defence available.
If you must go to court, we will provide you with the first class, quality representation that you and your business deserve. Feel reassured knowing you have the best possible legal team behind you.
24 Hour Availability
Investigations into Serious Fraud can escalate without warning. Arrests, search warrants and interview requests from the SFO often come with little or no notice. In these situations, immediate access to expert legal advice can make all the difference.
At Draycott Browne, our Serious Fraud Solicitors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We respond rapidly to emergencies, providing representation at police stations, court hearings and during SFO Interviews at any time of day or night.
You don't have to face the authorities alone, expert support is always just a phone call away.
Legal Aid
Legal fees can be an unexpected cost that you may struggle to afford, but legal aid can relieve financial stress during your case, leaving you to focus on what matters. Our Legal Aid Solicitors can advise you on your eligibility and will guide you through the process of applying for legal aid, giving you the best chance of a successful application.
Private Funding
At Draycott Browne, we have long supported and will continue to support those of our clients who choose to fund their cases with Legal Aid. However, it is important to realise that Legal Aid funding places significant limitations on the level of support we are able to provide.
By choosing to fund the legal services you require, you are guaranteeing the highest level of advice and representation from our private criminal defence solicitors. Private funding allows us to allocate additional resources within our team to work more creatively and extensively on your case.
With private funding, we can deliver the best possible service, drawing on the full extent of our experienced team, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in building a detailed legal defence.
If you’re facing serious fraud charges, we strongly advise you to consider a privately funded route. This will ensure that you are receiving the best representation for your case, greatly enhancing your chances of a successful outcome.
Your Serious Fraud Questions Answered
Serious fraud refers to criminal conduct involving deliberate dishonesty carried out for financial gain, often with a significant impact on individuals, businesses or public bodies. These offences are typically marked by a high level of planning, deception, and concealment, and they often involve professional or corporate environments.
Under UK law, serious fraud may be prosecuted under legislation such as the Fraud Act 2006, the Bribery Act 2010, the Theft Act 1968, and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has jurisdiction over cases that meet its criteria, particularly where there is significant public interest or cross-border financial activity.
The seriousness of a fraud case is often determined by factors such as the scale of the financial loss, the level of organisation involved, the risk to public confidence, and whether professionals or public officials played a role.
If you are facing an investigation or prosecution under any of these powers, it is crucial to speak with specialist Serious Fraud Solicitors as early as possible to protect your position.
If you are under investigation or are currently facing charges of fraud, your case will be dealt with by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), an independent government agency that works closely with the police. They investigate and prosecute serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption.
An SFO investigation will look for any incriminating evidence that will support their case against you, and use any evidence found to prosecute you. Where necessary, forensic accountants, data analysts and IT specialists will investigate financial discrepancies and inaccuracies to identify fraudulent activity, financial misrepresentation or misconduct.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) may investigate if there are reasonable grounds to suspect:
Under the powers of The Proceeds of Crime Act, the SFO may also pursue individuals who have financially benefited from criminal activity.
Under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, the SFO has unique powers and a unique approach to intelligence gathering regarding major fraud investigations. They have the ability to compel any company or individual to hand over any information or documentation that it believes are relevant to their investigation. This includes material held abroad if there is a sufficient connection to the UK.
The SFO will assess the potential or actual harm to the public, the reputation and integrity of the UK as a financial centre and the UK's economy and prosperity. They will also consider the potential financial loss, whether the case is in the public interest and if the case involves a new type of fraud.
Until your home or business is raided by the SFO, it is unlikely that you will be aware that you are being investigated by the SFO. By the time you find out, the SFO will have already applied for search warrants and restraint orders or asset freezing orders.
For this reason, you will need the advice of a highly skilled team of SFO Lawyers with the experience and expertise of dealing with the SFO to achieve the best possible conclusion to the investigation.
We can assist at all stages of SFO investigations and prosecutions.
Our SFO Lawyers provide specialist advice and representation on all areas of serious fraud, business crime, regulatory law, money laundering and serious financial crime matters. With extensive experience in all areas of white collar crime, and reputation as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence law firms, you can rely on us with confidence in your time of need.
Investigations into Serious High Value Fraud are carried out by specialist agencies with national authority to tackle serious financial crime. These bodies have the power to conduct surveillance, seize assets, compel disclosure and bring prosecutions.
The main agencies involved include:
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- City of London Police – Economic Crime Unit
- National Crime Agency (NCA)
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
These agencies often work together in coordinated investigations. If you are contacted by any of the above, our experienced SFO Defence Solicitors can provide urgent advice and deal directly with investigators on your behalf.
The penalties for Serious High Value Fraud reflect the financial scale, the level of dishonesty involved, and the wider impact on victims or society. Courts will assess both culpability and harm in line with the Sentencing Council Guidelines for Fraud, Bribery and Money Laundering Offences.
If convicted, individuals may face a range of serious criminal and financial consequences, including:
- Up to 10 years for offences under the Fraud Act 2006; longer sentences may apply where offences involve public revenue fraud or are prosecuted under common law conspiracy to defraud
- Financial penalties reflecting the gain made or loss caused
- Asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), even where assets are no longer directly traceable to the offence
- In cases involving corporate fraud or abuse of company structures
- Long-term impact on career, professional accreditations and public standing
- Where victims have suffered identifiable financial loss
- Imposed before or during proceedings to prevent asset dissipation
Sentences will also take into account any aggravating features, such as abuse of trust, targeting vulnerable individuals, or using professional status to facilitate the offence. In more serious cases, the court may also consider the wider social harm for example, where fraud has helped fund organised crime, drug supply or human trafficking networks.
If you are facing prosecution, our experienced Serious Fraud Solicitors can advise on likely sentencing outcomes and build a defence designed to reduce your exposure to custodial time, financial penalties and post-conviction orders.
Related Areas
Contact our Serious Fraud Solicitors
If you are facing an investigation or prosecution for Serious High Value Fraud, early access to expert legal representation is critical. These cases often involve large-scale financial scrutiny, reputational risk, and the threat of serious custodial sentences. The sooner you act, the more options you will have to protect your position.
At Draycott Browne, our nationally recognised Serious Fraud Solicitors are known for their skill, discretion and strategic thinking. With over 25 years of experience, we have represented clients in some of the most challenging fraud prosecutions in the UK — including multi-agency investigations led by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HMRC and the FCA.
Our Fraud Solicitors possess a breadth of knowledge that is unrivalled in the industry and we take great pride in our dedication and professionalism. We are relentless in the pursuit of achieving the best result possible for all of our clients. Our team will continuously work hard on your behalf with an attention to detail and tenacity that is second to none.
Draycott Browne is one of the UK's top criminal law firms. We regularly provide specialist criminal defence representation in cases involving serious high value fraud to clients in Manchester, Liverpool, London, Birmingham and throughout the whole of England and Wales.
When facing serious consequences, trust in Draycott Browne's Criminal Law Experts. You cannot afford to settle for anything less. Call our serious high value fraud team today for expert advice.